December 2019: a couple hundred of us headed upstairs to the KX Hotel rooftop to celebrate the launch of KXT2020. We were all there to enjoy that special KX ambiance, to celebrate another year of indie theatre and to cheer in the next season. Before the directors and producers introduced their shows, Suzanne got things started with a look back and sneak peek forward
“In 2019 KXT hosted 17 KXT shows, 11 Popupstairs seasons; 3 Festivals - Step Up, Storytellers, Pop Up Come Out. As we look back we’re part proud of our investment in new work, emerging artists, inclusive and representative programming; gender equity and opportunities for emerging and early career artists. Since launching KXT has championed new work, providing both a platform for emerging and established writers, and a space for development. And in 2019 KXT was home to an unprecedented number of premiere works, as a part of the JackRabbit takeover; in the Popupstairs program; with the launch of Write Up; and as a part of the KXT2019
KXT2019 included Leopardskin by Michael McStay ★ The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Little Eggs Collective ★ A Little Piece of Ash by Megan Wilding ★ Omar and Dawn by James Elazzi ★ Step Up Festival ★ Ignite by the writers of New Ghosts Theatre ★ Rosaline by Joanna Erskine ★ nomnomnom at KX by Roshelle Fong ★ Storytellers Festival ★ UBU by Richard Hilliar ★ Maureen, the Harbinger of Death by Jonny Hawkins ★ Doing by Amy Sole ★ Infidelity and Enlightenment by Lauren Bonner ★ Falling Skies by Braden Frascone ★ Rudy & Cuthbert Toby Blome and Zelman Cressey-Gladwin ★ Surf Séance by Rachel Kerry ★ A Little History Play by Caleb Lewis ★ Betty Breaks Out by Liz Hobart ★ Sheds in the City by Charlie Vaux ★ But You Don’t Look Sick by The C Collective ★ Honey Boo Boo Blood & Gore by Carissa Licciardello ★ Confessions of a Custard Melon Pan by Arisa Yura ★ Fortitude by Richard Graham ★
All of this?? New Australian writing
A benchmark of KXT has always been our work in GENDER EQUITY In 2016 we began as we intended to continue: with Invisible Circus, curated by Siren theatre & bAKEHOUSE TheatreCo: a month long celebration of the work of women by women. Programming at KXT has continued to feature multiple women-led projects. 2017: 8 female directors; 14 female writers ★ 2018: 12 women directors; 10 women producers; 8 shows designed by women; 8 plays written by women. Inaugural Storytellers festival: 14 women playwrights + 13 women directors ★ And this year: 15 female directors, 14 female producers, 15 female writers, 21 female designers PLUS many dozens of actors, directors and writers participating in the Storytellers Festival.
We’re proud to be at the forefront of DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORK With shows like Jatinga, Black Jesus and the Laden Table, The Serpents Teeth, Good Dog, A Westerners Guide to the opium Wars, Are We Awake, Omar + Dawn, A Little Piece of Ash, Kaleidoscope, and more bAKEHOUSE has set the benchmark for inclusive and representative work that puts Sydney on the stage. This year we were home to 8 projects telling diverse stories
At bAKEHOUSE we have a long held record of COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS And in 2019 we structure this into the KXT Crossroads program, where art and community intersect. Featuring partnerships locally and internationally including ACON; AAWC; Oz Harvest; Chris O’Brien Lighthouse; Smith Family, SSEG, The All Saint Africa Centre and much more. We believe that contrary to the opinion of our politicians and commentators theatre is more relevant today than ever, at a time when many of us seek connection and community. At KXT BAKEHOUSE continues its commitment to theatre for social change, using the resources available to us to positively impact on our world and the people in it.
Many NEW COMPANIES have been birthed at KXT Producers are a rare breed: driven by equal measures unstoppable passion and pragmatism, these unsung heroes make the work possible. If you’ve self produced you’ll appreciate the value of a wise producer. We need more of them, and they need your support. At KXT we’ve been assisting new companies to viability, with an unprecedented program of marketing and production support and financial subsidy, with many launching at KXT including Last One Standing Theatre; Green Door Theatre Co; Pip and Hann Inc; Manifesto; the Anchor; HBR Creatives; Some Company.
IN 2019 The Step Up program was back for its second year, and it hit its stride. Step Up is the formalisaton of a long held bAKEHOUSE philosophy: providing opportunity and support for new and emerging artists by setting them alongside professional and experienced practitioners. In this way we:
· Support the early work of emerging writers
· Provide platforms to showcase promising young actors
· Create relationships and pathways for designers and production practitioners
· provide opportunities for directors, producers and future leaders
· Champion companies as they strive to achieve and expand
And by investing in the Step Up team we’re fast tracking the Next Big thing, who built and hosted a festival, attended shows, ran meet ups, built industry connections, landed placements with some of our leading companies, and received personal support and guidance. In 2019 KXT was home to more than 20 emerging directors, writers, producers. In 2020 we’ll open up apps for Step Up in February, with the team ready to jump into things in March.
A feature of 2019 was POPUPSTAIRS | providing MORE SPACE FOR MORE ARTISTS we partnered with KX Hotel to launch a creative space sharing program. Through the year, the Popupstairs pilot project ran short seasons of new and experimental work in the Bordello, the rooftop and the Glasshouse. From time to time we crept into Dive Bar, and on the odd occasion we took audience into the basement.
This year Kings Cross Hotel hosted movement work, some clowning, a site-specific adaptation of a German great, a nuts take on a classic, heaps and heaps of new writing, There were no fancy posters or glossy programs, the chairs are orange and the lighting is limited. We didn’t have a heap of promo going on. But you could expect to see the unexpected. And it took off with sold out seasons, huge responses, and great reviews. Thanks to KX Hotel the program will be back in 2020, new and improved. Its an uncurated program where we match shows with dates. Tomorrow morning you can jump onto the website and pop in your app. We have 11 tiny seasons available and we’re looking to fill the spots with the most interesting new work going.
So Popupstairs opened up 3 additional performance spaces in the hotel; Charlie and Andreas opened the door to dozens of new artists during their HiJacked Rabbit venue takeover running double bills, short seasons and multiple spaces; Joanna Erskine’s Storytellers returned with even more writers, actors and directors launching new work, more than 120 artists; and Legit Theatre Co took the KXTeethcutting Play Read program to exciting new places. If you make a space for artists, they’ll fill it
KXT would not be a viable operation without the support and partnership of staff and management at KX Hotel. These legends meet, greet and serve our audience; help us manage lift access; support our Opening Nights; come to the shows; help us deal with noise spill and early evening party goers; take care of security; keep an eye on regs so we don't burn the joint down; roster staff to suit our shows; move chairs around levels; jump into bar service when we're in the Bordello; print up signs; provide support to community partnerships and free events; coordinate live music and DJs around our business; and generously support us with all sorts of deals and discounts. Shout out to Reece, Miles, Kayla and Maddie and a whole heap more excellent sorts that keep the wheels turning on a 6 level night club with a theatre in the middle. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does
A large part of what makes all this work is the people. In 2020
· Charlie Falkner is back, working most closely with companies on new work, as we wrestle with the challenge of giving premiere Australian plays a further life. He’ll be a key part of our management and decision-making team, and from time to time will take up the reins. Much like HiJacked Rabbit and pretty much everything at KXT we’ll be making it up as we go along, responding to the needs and necessities of a vital but under resourced industry. He’s here somewhere tonight, buy him many drinks and thank him for all he has done, and all that he will do next year.
· we’re partnering with Montague Basement to invest in 2 key areas; support of new and emerging producers and production companies, and investment in early stage writers. Imogen and Saro are jumping into the room to assist young artists as they build a way forward in an uncertain industry, and assist them to find a way to a viable and sustainable career. They’re a frighteningly over qualified team and we are just thrilled to have them on board
· Panimo creatives will be providing networking, relationship building and support for young and emerging artists
· KXT Artistic Assoc Rebecca Blake is back to guide and support the young artists of the Step Up team
· This year Charlie Vaux takes over the reins of the Popupstairs program
· Mat and Annie continue their winning ways with Legit theatre co continuing to deliver top notch play reads for KXTeethcutting
On behalf of John and Andrew I extend the hugest of thanks to Charlie, Imogen, Saro, Rebecca, Charlie Vaux, Annie and Mat, Jodie, Jack and Ewan.
So what does 2020 hold?
· 18 seasons
· 8 world premieres, 4 Australian premieres, 2 Sydney premieres
· 5 plays telling the diverse stories of 2020
· 5 plays that have been programmed following readings at Storytellers Festival or KXTeethcutting, or through the Step Up program
· 10 female directors
· 9 female writers
· 11 female producers (and more to come)
· 13 female designers (and more to come)
· 24 early career writers, directors & producers
Of KXT David Berthold says: “so good to have this venue doing consistently good work. It’s a glory: what can happen when artists take over a room and make it their own”
Thank you for making KXT your own. We’ve been thrilled and overwhelmed by the response from so many, we’ve been heartened by what we’ve all been able to achieve and we’re excited for the next 12 months. KXT is in the heart of the X in the heart of the city, and there’s a lot of heart here tonight.
See you in 2020”
Suzanne x